Is Google Trust Being Scroogled?

Microsoft this week, during the holiday season, increased the public pressure on Google with its “Scroogled ” campaign. The campaign publicly points out, correctly , that Google Shopping results are entirely paid inclusion products here in the U.S. This is all before they are set to expand into further countries in 2013 . Bing’s Merchant is their answer to Google Shopping. And while it is free, it does require a Bing Ads account set up with credit card information and is no longer accepting new merchants . As such, there may be merit to what at least one industry pundit has cited a "pot calling the kettle black ." In fairness, merchants will continue to be listed in Google’s free web search results, but it is a reversal of Google’s philosophy for the sake of quality and adherence to rules. This is similar to Apple’s rules for the App Store in charging to enroll before subm...